Aircraft of televangelist Kenneth Copeland under scrutiny

Televangelist Kenneth Copeland, a licensed commercial pilot, makes no secret of his passion for flying in his broadcasts.

He owns three planes, and his church, northwest of Fort Worth, has a small fleet as well. Last March, after asking donors to chip in about $20 million, his church took ownership of a jet capable of flying a mile in about 6 seconds. Recently, the church gained a fifth plane: a $3.4 million jet.

The ministry has one full-time pilot and three other staff members, including Copeland, who fly as needed.

The aircraft are used for disaster relief, prison outreach, church meetings, worldwide conventions and other church activities about 90 percent of the time, the church says. The rest of the time they are used for personal trips, and “individuals are all charged for personal use of planes ….. These are all legal activities,” according to an e-mailed statement from the ministry on Friday.

The Star-Telegram researched the holdings using an FAA database after U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, asked several prominent televangelists for financial information. He specifically requested details about aircraft owned by Copeland’s Eagle Mountain International Church. According to Grassley’s office, church aircraft have set down in Maui, Fiji and Honolulu, though the purpose for those trips isn’t clear.

The church is considering its response.

Texas secretary of state records also show that KGLEN Air, a company that lists Copeland as a director, owns an aircraft. The company lists the phone number of the church’s accounting department. But a woman who answered the phone said the company isn’t affiliated with the ministry.

The fleet of a pastor and his church

Aircraft pictured … are representations of the listed jets and planes.

The ministry provided the values and maximum cruising speed for its aircraft. The speeds of other aircraft are from FAA averages, and the values of other planes are estimates based on Aircraft Blue Book average retail prices; Stearman owner Steve Guenard of Utah; and www.controller.com, which lists aircraft for sale.

Owner: Kenneth Copeland (3)

1944 Boeing B75N1 “Stearman”

Value: $70,000 to $140,000

Average cruising speed: 93 mph

A bi-plane used as a World War II trainer and later by barnstormers.

1953 North American T-28B “Trojan”

Value: $59,000 to $325,000

Average cruising speed: 208 mph

Loud, single-engine fighter trainer for the military.

1976 Beech E-55 “Baron”

Value: $144,000

Average cruising speed: 165 mph

The six-seater comes with an extended nose for baggage.

Owner: KGLEN Air (1)

1947 Republic RC-3 “Seabee”

Value: One is listed online for $40,000

Average cruising speed: 87 mph

Four-seat amphibious aircraft or “flying boat.”

Owner: Eagle Mountain International Church (5)

1962 Beech H-18 “Twin Beech”*

Value: $96,000

Maximum cruising speed: 220 mph

One of only six such aircraft licensed in Texas. The ministry said it is being restored for disaster relief use. Made with 11 seats.

1973 Cessna 421B “Golden Eagle” or “Executive Commuter”

Value: $220,000

Maximum cruising speed: 270 mph

Pressurized twin-engine business jet with eight seats. The ministry says it is under a contract, not yet finalized, to be sold.